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Post by bear on Aug 17, 2020 17:51:34 GMT 7
Australia's Commonwealth Games baton bearer John Coutis sentenced for welfare fraud
Commonwealth Games torchbearer and order of Australia medallist John Coutis has been convicted of defrauding taxpayers.
Australia’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games baton bearer has been sentenced to five years jail for welfare fraud, but was immediately released on parole. John Coutis, who was convicted of defrauding taxpayers, was sentenced on Monday at Southport Court in Queensland. Coutis had failed to declare almost $1.5 million he earned as a motivational speaker for more than a decade while receiving a disability support pension.
He received more than $130,000 in welfare benefits, when he was entitled to only about $30,000. Coutis, who admitted lying to Centrelink, was caught out after authorities identified him as a frequent international traveller.He’s made at least 37 international speaking trips and has spoken to more than six million people at events that have included attendees such as Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. More than a dozen good character references were tendered to the court, including references from Alan Jones, Dawn Fraser and Phil Gould. Judge Porter said while he respected the referees’ opinions, he disagreed with some. “A number of references indicate this was not an act of dishonesty, but this was,” the judge said. Parts of his autobiography was also used as evidence in court, including how he was born with spina bifida and had both legs amputated at the age of 17. The judge chose not to send Coutis to jail because of his disability. 7news.com.au/sport/australias-commonwealth-games-baton-bearer-john-coutis-sentenced-for-welfare-fraud-c-1244538
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Post by bear on Aug 17, 2020 18:01:47 GMT 7
Nice work if you can get away with it that easy.....is he married to the judge's daughter?
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Post by itsmylife08 on Aug 17, 2020 20:41:35 GMT 7
Could this judgment act as a precedent If any of us had the misfortune to be hauled over the coals for some misdemeanor in the future somehow I doubt it very much.
For me disabilities aside, this is a clear case of welfare fraud and should not have been tolerated. If the Government want us all to believe that we are equal in the eyes of the law then act in a consistent manner, when someone that is not as well connected is brought the courts...
In God we trust
Itsa
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Post by latindancer on Aug 18, 2020 6:06:08 GMT 7
Having prosthetic legs is no big deal in prison. How could it be ?
The fact that he is famous should have worked against him, too.
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Post by bunyip on Aug 20, 2020 13:08:41 GMT 7
THeres plenty of cases of welfare fraud l agree they should go to prison , like people who use false ID to claim extra payments, but theres also some cases where people just forget to update details where the person faces criminal charges where politicans who make similar mistakes face no charges. Yes this guy deserved prison for caliming $130,000 DSP falsely but l wonder if a politican claimed $130,000 in travel allowance falsely if he would get 5 years prison, l bet not, worst thing is he would lose his job
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Post by bunyip on Aug 20, 2020 13:11:22 GMT 7
", was caught out after authorities identified him as a frequent international traveller. " l guess if you travel OS alot you become a target and they look into you
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Post by bear on Aug 20, 2020 17:53:00 GMT 7
I agree bunyip ......I see his $ 1.5 million earnings and future earnings potential as a catalyst for jail, rather than illegally scamming $ 130.000; because it's that earning capacity that's allowed him the "jet setter" lifestyle. I also wonder, since I don't think it's mentioned; "Does he have to repay the $ 100,000? And if not, why not? Cheers bear
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Post by paddy on Aug 21, 2020 13:35:20 GMT 7
THeres plenty of cases of welfare fraud l agree they should go to prison , like people who use false ID to claim extra payments, but theres also some cases where people just forget to update details where the person faces criminal charges where politicans who make similar mistakes face no charges. Yes this guy deserved prison for caliming $130,000 DSP falsely but l wonder if a politican claimed $130,000 in travel allowance falsely if he would get 5 years prison, l bet not, worst thing is he would lose his job Be careful making potentially generalising statements. Even saying plenty is a gross generalisation.
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